Elias sat in his office, quiet and still, his phone resting on the desk beside him. The photo Daniel had sent glowed faintly on the screen—Maya sitting across from Colton at a restaurant, a soft smile on her lips, the lighting dim and warm.

Daniel’s message had been simple:

“Looks like she’s moved on already. With your rival, no less.”

Elias stared at the image for a moment, then turned the screen face down. He didn’t feel anger—at least not toward Maya. Instead, something deeper settled inside him, like a quiet ache he had no name for.

He didn’t doubt her.

He knew her. Maya wasn’t someone who played games...